PERU, Ind. – Soon after a bike belonging to a child with special needs was stolen, a Peru community banded together to help replace it.
JJ Thomas,14, does not speak but loves doing normal activities like jumping on the trampoline, swimming in the pool and riding his bike.
“It just fits him perfectly. He can ride it great,” said Thomas’ mother Cara.
Over the weekend, Cara noticed her son’s bike was missing and immediately went online to see if her community could help her find it.
“When I found out the bike was gone, I was sick to my stomach. I knew he'd be upset,” she said.
Within hours Cara said strangers were offering money for a new bike and some were willing to give up their own.
“He seemed like a kid who knew nothing but love and didn't deserve to have his bike stolen,” said Mitchell Childress, who offered to buy Thomas a new bike.
At the same time, Sharon Cauthen offered a bike identical to the one stolen from Thomas.
“I had their exact bike in my garage and when I seen that post, I thought ‘I can't keep this bike,’” said Cauthen. “He needs it more than I do.”
On Monday, Thomas’ bike was found in an alley, and the money and additional bike given by the community was returned.
“It's a feeling you can't describe,” said Cara. “Don't lose hope in what people can do, even on the Internet.”
